[APR 2021] YMCA Youth For Causes 2021: Rise Above!

Dear Youth For Causes Family,

The YMCA Youth For Causes (YFC) 2021 programme is back! Up to 100 teams will be provided seeding funding of $1,600, mentorship and training so that the teams can effectively raise awareness and funds for the social cause of their choice.

YMCA of Singapore is the sole organiser and sponsor of the YFC 2021 programme. Tapping on the YMCA-Lim Kim San Fund, a fund that promotes volunteerism and volunteer capabilities, we aim to empower youth and help charities in their awareness and fundraising efforts during this COVID-19 pandemic.

Seed Funding Mechanism

  • $1,600 Seed Funding: The $1,600 seed funding is provided as a loan to the social service agencies (SSAs) for teams to utilise as capital for their projects. Following previous years of YFC, this seed funding is a donation to the SSAs, which will NOT need to be returned.

Project Scope: Online

  • Advocacy and Fundraising: To be conducted online until further notice by the relevant authorities
  • Engagement of SSAs, mentors and volunteers: To take place online as much as possible
  • Scoring Guidelines: To factor in team’s creativity in fundraising during this COVID-19 pandemic, their contributions and impact on their respective SSA. The SSA will provide an evaluation of their teams’ projects and conduct.

YFC 2021 Timeline

  • Registration for SSAs & Teams: 26 April to 23 May
  • Selection Interview: Sat, 29 May
  • Official Launch: Fri, 4 Jun
  • Implementation Period: 4 Jun to 10 Oct
  • Training: TBC
  • Project Showcase (1st round of judging): Sat, 23 Oct
  • Awards Showcase (Final round of judging): Sat, 30 Oct
  • Awards Celebration: Fri, 19 Nov

Through YFC 2020, 79 teams rose above the challenges and raised over $450,000 for 36 social service agencies (SSAs) that tackled social issues including mental wellness, special needs, less privileged youth, environmental conservation, and more. Through a combination of small-scale physical events held on campus while following social distancing measures, and virtual efforts including video productions for awareness, poetry contests, virtual concerts, and e-sports tournaments, the teams impacted the lives of many in need.

The YFC DNA lives on—to rise above challenging circumstances and bring positive impact through creative methods. May we serve and create a better Singapore for tomorrow.

Thank you and we look forward to an exciting YFC 2021 journey with all of you!

For further enquiries, please email yfc@ymca.org.sg.

YFC 2021 Announcement: Thank you Citi for 18 years!

Dear Youth For Causes Family,

The Youth For Causes (YFC) 2020 programme was truly special because the COVID-19 pandemic has affected how the social service sector had to operate. We needed to innovate new and meaningful ways to create positive social impact.

Nonetheless, 79 teams rose above the challenges and raised over $450,000 for 36 social service agencies (SSAs) that tackled social issues including mental wellness, special needs, less privileged youth, environmental conservation, and more. Through a combination of small-scale physical events held on campus while following social distancing measures, and virtual efforts including video productions for awareness, poetry contests, virtual concerts, and e-sports tournaments, the teams impacted the lives of many in need.

YFC 2020 also marks the last year of YMCA of Singapore and Citi’s partnership in hosting the YFC programme. Over the past 18 years, we have nurtured more than 5,000 youths, raised over $10 million for over 150 SSAs, and created many unforgettable experiences for students, mentors, and volunteers alike.

We are grateful for the Citi Foundation and Citi Singapore’s continuous support in funding and mentorship in this programme. Apart from the vast impact on-the-ground, YFC has also grown to become the longest-running community programme supported by the Citi Foundation. The programme is recognised as a sustained private-social partnership that brought value to both the social service sector and our education landscape.

Citi has truly embodied the spirit of stewardship, generosity, innovation and commitment in the past 18 years. It has deeply inspired us to push on and continue reaching out to those who may need a helping hand.

The YFC DNA lives on—we hope everyone who was once involved will continue to give hope. With what we have learned, we are better equipped than before to serve and create a better Singapore for tomorrow.

We thank Citi for their continued support and look forward to further our partnership with them.

Do stay tuned for more updates to the Youth For Causes programme @ www.youthforcauses.com in Jan/Feb 2021!